Manchester, NH — Mayor Jay Ruais today thanked the Board of Aldermen for approving an audit of the Manchester School District, and a series of Departmental audits, marking a significant step forward in strengthening independent oversight, protecting taxpayers, transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in City government. Last week, the Manchester Board of School Committee unanimously approved the School District audit.
For six years, the City of Manchester operated without the Charter mandated Independent City Auditor. With the restoration of that position, the City is now moving forward with a comprehensive audit plan that will play a central role in the Mayor’s STARS Initiative, which stands for Streamlining, Taxpayer Accountability, and Reform System, and was launched during his inaugural address.
As per the Mayor’s request, the Board of Aldermen approved the conducting of audits of the following City Departments: Central Fleet, Manchester Fire Department, Manchester Department of Public Works, and Human Resources, including benefits and payroll.
Our City and School District undergo required annual audits which effectively confirm whether the financial reporting is accurate and compliant. By contrast, the Independent City Auditor works to ensure the City is operationally efficient, and performing effectively before problems arise. These audits are more in depth, looking in greater detail at financial management, and can take significant time.
The Manchester School District audit will be a programmatic and efficiency review focused on ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer resources while avoiding duplication of existing state, federal, and independent financial audits. The audit will examine key operational areas including administrative efficiency, payroll and staffing practices, procurement processes, and insurance administration.
“These audits are about making sure City government is operating as efficiently, transparently, and responsibly as possible,” said Mayor Jay Ruais. “For years, Manchester lacked the independent oversight required by our Charter. Restoring that oversight and putting it to work is a critical part of delivering accountable government to our residents.”
Mayor Ruais added, “I want to thank the Board of Aldermen for their thoughtful consideration and approval of these audits. This work is central to the STARS Initiative and reflects our shared commitment to transparency, taxpayer accountability, and meaningful oversight of City government and the Manchester School District.”
The audits will be conducted by the Independent City Auditor in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, with findings and recommendations released publicly in compliance with New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law.
Manchester, NH — Mayor Jay Ruais today announced the initiation of the City of Manchester Commission on Child Care, a major new initiative aimed at expanding access to affordable, licensed child care and strengthening early childhood supports across the city.
Mayor Ruais emphasized that this work is both deeply personal and critically important for Manchester’s future.
“As a new dad, I recognize the importance of this issue, and it reminds me constantly of our responsibility to give every child the strongest possible start,” said Mayor Ruais.
The Mayor highlighted the data showing the scale of the challenge. Across New Hampshire, licensed child care capacity for children under five has dropped nearly 13 percent between 2017 and 2024, even though the number of young children has remained steady. Providers are operating at only 85 percent of their licensed capacity due to staffing shortages and financial strain. The economic consequences are significant: New Hampshire businesses lose an estimated $56 million annually because parents cannot find or afford child care and are forced to reduce work hours or leave the workforce.
“Child care isn’t just a family issue; it’s a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a livability issue for our entire city,” Ruais said. “My vision is a Manchester where every family can access the care and early learning opportunities their children deserve.”
The City Manchester Commission on Child Care will focus on creating a blueprint to:
- Expand the supply of licensed child care programs
- Strengthen the early childhood workforce
- Improve family access to early literacy and engagement resources
- Coordinate efforts across city departments, schools, nonprofits, businesses and community partners
- Deliver actionable recommendations to the City by fall 2026
The Commission will work in partnership with the National League of Cities and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) to leverage national best practices and local expertise.
On Friday, February 20, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the NH Food Bank will have a truckload of food to distribute in the Comcast Parking Lot at 676 Island Pond Road in Manchester! See the FLYER for details!
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Controlled blasting is scheduled to start on January 19 adjacent to Beech Street and Union Street. This activity will continue intermittently through March. During this operation:
- Periodic road closures will occur.
- Momentary explosive sounds may be heard.
- Minor ground vibrations may be felt in the surrounding area.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this work safely.
Manchester, NH – On January 1, 2026, the City of Manchester experienced a tragic early-morning fire at the Executive Manor apartment building located at 567 Union Street. The fire resulted in the loss of one life, multiple injuries, and the displacement of dozens of residents.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the deceased as Thomas J. Casey, 70, of Manchester. The cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation, and the manner of death was accidental. Four individuals remain hospitalized, and three others have been discharged. One child remains in critical condition.
As many as 50 residents were displaced as a result of the Union Street fire. The City continues to work closely with community partners to ensure all impacted residents are being connected to housing, financial assistance, and stabilization services.
These same support resources are also available to residents displaced by a separate apartment fire that occurred on the morning of January 5, 2026, at 305 Amherst Street, which resulted in the displacement of 18 individuals. There were no reported casualties from that incident.
“Our community has come together during these tragic incidents in an extraordinary way to support neighbors impacted by these fires,” said Mayor Jay Ruais. “We remain focused on ensuring every displaced resident is connected to housing and support services, and I am deeply grateful to our first responders, city staff, and partner organizations for their continued work.”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DISPLACED FIRE VICTIMS
All registered families are currently eligible or are already receiving:
- Financial support
- Daily meals
- Placement assistance, with multiple agencies actively working to secure permanent housing
Residents who were displaced by the fire and have not yet registered or are in need of housing and support services are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross directly. If you have not yet come forward, or if you are unable to access services on your own, please call:
1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
The American Red Cross can help connect residents to emergency assistance, housing support, and partner agencies.
This relief effort is a coordinated collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, Office of Homelessness Initiatives, Manchester Fire Department, Manchester Housing, Manchester Welfare Department, the American Red Cross of Northern New England, Choice Realty, and the First Baptist Church.
Assistance for Displaced Residents and Those Seeking to Help
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is providing emergency assistance to displaced residents.
Residents in need of assistance may contact 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Donation and volunteer opportunities are available at redcross.org.
Salvation Army
Greater Manchester The Salvation Army is assisting on a case-by-case basis for affected residents.
Location: 121 Cedar Street, Manchester, NH 03101
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Phone: (603) 627-7013
Manchester Welfare Department
The Manchester Welfare Department is available to assist displaced residents with emergency housing support, benefits navigation, and stabilization services. Location: 1528 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101 Office Hours: Monday–Friday
Phone: (603) 624-6484
Community members are reminded that while there has been a strong outpouring of generosity, organizers request that donations not be brought directly to partner sites at this time. Additional guidance regarding how to donate funds, clothing, household items, and non-perishable food will be released soon.
The City will continue to share vetted updates as additional information becomes available
Manchester, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais, along with members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of School Committee, were officially sworn into office today during an inauguration ceremony held at the Palace Theatre.
In his inaugural address, Mayor Ruais reflected on the City’s recent progress and outlined a forward-looking agenda focused on affordability, accountability, public safety, and collaboration.
“Manchester has been tested before, and we have shown that when we work together, we can deliver real results for our residents,” said Mayor Ruais. “The people of this city sent us here to govern responsibly, work collaboratively, and make their lives better and that is exactly what we intend to do.”
During his remarks, Mayor Ruais highlighted Manchester’s recognition as the third best run city in the United States, while continuing the goal to make Manchester the best mid-sized city in the United States.
A large portion of the address focused on homelessness, particularly veterans’ homelessness. Mayor Ruais announced that all 47 veterans previously experiencing homelessness in Manchester are now housed, with 89 veterans placed into stable housing overall, and the City now housing veterans faster than new cases emerge even amid a historically tight housing market.
Building on that progress, the Mayor announced a new partnership aimed at addressing family homelessness. Through collaboration with Family Promise, local philanthropic leadership, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, the City will support the creation of 15 to 18 units of transitional housing for families with children, a project designed to eliminate the daily shelter waitlist that leaves approximately 20 families without access to shelter.
Public safety was also emphasized as a cornerstone of the City’s success. Mayor Ruais noted that crime fell 15 percent in 2024 and an additional 8 percent in 2025, reaffirming his commitment to supporting the Manchester Police Department and addressing staffing shortages through their upcoming union contracts.
On housing affordability, the Mayor highlighted the passage of a historic rewrite of Manchester’s zoning ordinance, only the third complete rewrite in the City’s history, which will take effect March 1. He mentioned additional reforms intended to expand housing opportunities, reduce barriers to development, and improve long term affordability.
Mayor Ruais also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, noting his first two budgets came in well under the tax cap, saving taxpayers nearly 7 million dollars.
To further strengthen accountability and efficiency, the Mayor announced the launch of the Manchester STARS Initiative, which stands for Streamlining, Taxpayer Accountability, and Reform System, including the creation of a centralized purchasing division to address inefficiencies costing taxpayers more than 1 million dollars annually, expanded departmental audits, and strengthened oversight practices.
Looking ahead, Mayor Ruais announced the formation of a new City commission dedicated to expanding access to affordable, licensed child care and strengthening early childhood education, addressing a critical gap affecting nearly 3,000 Manchester children under the age of five.
The Mayor concluded by emphasizing that affordability will define the City’s work moving forward, including affordable housing, affordable child care, and an affordable, accountable city government.
“We have a limited window to turn ideas into action,” Mayor Ruais said. “This is our moment, and we will not waste it.”
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
MANCHESTER, NH – Last night, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve Manchester’s historic new Zoning Rewrite, a major step toward modernizing the city’s land use regulations and advancing the community’s vision for growth, housing, and economic opportunity.
The rewrite implements key recommendations of the 2021 Manchester Master Plan, which was the first master plan update since 2009. The Master Plan was shaped by extensive community input and outlines residents’ long-term goals for how Manchester should develop. One of the plan’s central recommendations was to update the city’s land-use regulations to reflect the community’s goals and to make these laws clearer and more user-friendly.
The rewrite is the first and most important step toward fulfilling that recommendation. It will anchor a new Manchester Land Use Code that will bring together the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and site plan regulations into a single and streamlined document. This consolidation will make the rules easier to understand and apply, reduce red tape, and create more opportunities for development, housing, and business investment.
Work on the rewrite began in late 2021. Since then, the City has partnered with planning consultants and engaged in an extensive public process that included interviews, a multi-day design charrette, and multiple rounds of drafting. The first public draft was released on June 21, 2024, followed by a robust citywide outreach effort.
Throughout the summer of 2024, Manchester hosted 12 community meetings in partnership with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to ensure broad public participation. The City also partnered with the UNH Survey Center to conduct a zoning survey. More than 1,000 residents attended public meetings and nearly 1,500 responded to the survey. The thousands of comments provided during this process helped shape the second draft, which was released on August 8, 2025.
“We must drive down the cost of housing and make Manchester more affordable. This zoning rewrite is one of the most important steps we can take to secure Manchester’s future,” said Mayor Jay Ruais. “By modernizing our land use code, we are unlocking new opportunities for housing, promoting responsible growth, and making it easier for residents and businesses to invest in our city. This work reflects the voices of thousands of Manchester residents, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in this process. I especially want to thank Director Jeff Belanger, Senior Planner Kristin Bixby, and the entire Planning and Community Development Department for their leadership, their persistence, and their tremendous dedication to getting this right.”
“This zoning rewrite is the product of the most comprehensive public engagement that the City of Manchester has ever done for a zoning ordinance,” said Jeff Belanger, Director of the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department. “From the beginning, our goal has always been to understand what the people of Manchester want for the future of their city and to deliver that to them. I want to thank everyone who participated in the public engagement, whether they came to a community meeting, or filled out a survey, or submitted a comment. We heard you, the rewrite is a reflection of what you said, and this process could not have succeeded without you. I also want to sincerely thank Mayor Ruais for his leadership and support, which was essential to the adoption of the zoning rewrite.”
This is only the third comprehensive zoning rewrite in Manchester’s history. Its approval marks a significant milestone in ensuring the city remains responsive to the needs of today’s residents and businesses while supporting sustainable and well-planned growth for decades to come.
Please be aware that some applicants to the ZBA and Planning Board have received fraudulent emails from planning.cityofmanchester.gov@usa.com that appear to be forwarding an invoice, stating that all correspondence must be conducted exclusively by email and require payment only by wire transfer.
The Planning and Community Development Department will never send an invoice that requires payment only by wire transfer. If you have any questions regarding fees owed, please call customer service directly at (603) 624-6450.
MANCHESTER, NH — The City of Manchester announces the Inauguration of Mayor Jay Ruais, Members of the Board of Aldermen, and Board of School Committee.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend this civic event, which marks the beginning of a new term of municipal leadership and service to the community. The ceremony will include the administration of oaths of office, remarks from the Mayor, and musical performances.
“The inauguration is an opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate public service, and look ahead to the work that lies before us,” said Mayor Ruais. “I am honored to continue serving the people of Manchester, and I look forward to partnering with residents, businesses, and our dedicated city officials to continue making progress here in the Queen City.”
Details regarding parking, accessibility, and program schedule will be shared closer to the event date on the City’s website and official social media channels.
Event Details
- What: Inauguration of Mayor Ruais, Board of Aldermen, and Board of School Committee
- When: Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
- Where: Palace Theater, 80 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH
Public Invitation
All residents, community partners, media, and stakeholders are welcome to join the City of Manchester for this important civic celebration.
Organizational meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of School Committee will be held at City Hall immediately following the ceremony.
Thank you for subscribing to the Manchester City Library's newsletter, MCL Notes. A corrected version of the December/January/February issue is now available.
Thank you for subscribing to the Manchester City Library's newsletter, MCL Notes. The December/January/February issue is now available.